This is based on a traditional Mexican dish, Pollo en mole and it is rather yummy. Traditionally it uses tomatillos which are unripe green tomatoes, however its not that easy to get green tomatoes so I've used regular tinned tomatoes and I've also added my favourite of all Mexican ingredients but we will get to that. Its a very easy recipe that can be quickly thrown together and easily doubled for a crowd. Serve it with rice, tortillas and a salad.
Serves 4
Cooked turkey - enough to feed four
50g Sunflower seeds
25g Seasame seeds
50g Pumpkin seeds
40g Walnuts
50g blanched Almonds
1 tsp Corriander seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1 Onion, chopped
1 Red Pepper, deseeded and chopped
2 Chillies (more or less if required), deseeded and chopped
1 Garlic clove crushed
a handful of Corriander, chopped
1 tin of Tomatoes
20 g plain Chocolate
Seasoning
To make the sauce put all the nuts and seeds into a saute pan or saucepan and brown over a medium heat. This will take about two minutes.
Once browned put into a food processor or blender - however before blending you need to saute the onion and garlic. Once the onion has become opaque add the pepper and the chillies.
Once the Onions and Peppers etc have cooked add to the food processor and blend. It will become a thick puree. Add the Corriander and the tin tomatoes and whizz again. Return the sauce to the pan, add the chocolate, season and cook through for 10 minutes. If the sauce is too thick add a little water. Add the cooked Turkey and cook for a further 20 minutes - OR - put the Turkey and the sauce into a shallow oven proof dish, cover and bake for 30 minutes at 200 degrees.
Serve, eat and enjoy. And my favourite Mexican ingredient is Chocolate which adds a depth to the sauce. OR keep the sauce fairly thick and leave out the Turkey and it becomes a rather tasty dip.
I'll post the pictures when I got left over Turkey - the sauce already made and waiting.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Between A and B
Between A and B on Saturday, lunch was required.
Despite the many coffee shops along the way we didn't fancy any of those especially on a Saturday afternoon when flocks of teenagers congregate to do their homework. If you think homework is a youthanism for hanging out you'd be wrong, they really are doing their homework, en masse, one drink between them, using the free electricity and aircon.
"How about I take you to a little Chinese restaurant I know?" Surprised as he is not known for his love of Chinese food, I thought this place must be good and far better than the shopping center restaurant I was envisioning we eat in (I have eaten some great meals in shopping centers but the idea of being in a shopping center never conjures up a pleasent experience).
So off we go, past all sort of food possibilities, but now we have a mission, this little Chinese Restaurant situated on Purvis Street tucked behind Raffles Hotel. Purvis Street is a street full of shophouses containing mainly local restaurants but we ignore all but one of these. A restaurant which I fail to see its name as I am mesmerised by the cooked chickens hanging in the window. He can't mean in here.
We take a seat at one of the many marbled round tables. Menu's are given to us and luckily they are in English as well as Chinese, but they have no prices. We order lime juice, a Beef and Spinach type dish and Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Chicken Rice is a famous dish out here, one Singaporeans would love to call there own but actually comes from China. Its a deconstructed Chicken soup dish. You get a bowl of broth, a plate of chicken, sliced cucumber and a bowl of rice; you eat this with condiments of Dark Soy sauce, Chilli sauce and Ginger sauce. It has all the medicinal qualities one expects from Chicken soup and is comforting.
The chicken arrived and was perfect, moist, succulent and most importantly it was breast meat. The rice was perfectly steamed, it was just the broth that I felt was slightly lacking in flavour. But how to eat it? Personally - and I don't know whether this is right or not I put some rice on a spoon and dip into the broth, eat the chicken seperately with the condiments or dip into the broth or eat with the cucumber. I think basically anything goes as long as one enjoys the different tastes and textures in front of you.
The Beef dish was wonderful too with the greens fresh and crunchy. We also had a crunchy Bok Choi dish which was great but I would had prefered less garlic in the dish.
The next problem before returning to our journey to B was how to pay. It wasn't the sort of place where you wave your hand in the air as if writing your name to get the bill, but luckily it wasn't a problem. We headed through the crowded restaurant to the old guy sitting in a booth. He had paper slips, written in Chinese, in front of him clipped together. He gestured to the restaurant and said something in Manderin, we pointed to our table and hey presto our slip of paper was found. He said something else in Manderin before repeating it in English, thirty eight dollars.
Despite the many coffee shops along the way we didn't fancy any of those especially on a Saturday afternoon when flocks of teenagers congregate to do their homework. If you think homework is a youthanism for hanging out you'd be wrong, they really are doing their homework, en masse, one drink between them, using the free electricity and aircon.
"How about I take you to a little Chinese restaurant I know?" Surprised as he is not known for his love of Chinese food, I thought this place must be good and far better than the shopping center restaurant I was envisioning we eat in (I have eaten some great meals in shopping centers but the idea of being in a shopping center never conjures up a pleasent experience).
So off we go, past all sort of food possibilities, but now we have a mission, this little Chinese Restaurant situated on Purvis Street tucked behind Raffles Hotel. Purvis Street is a street full of shophouses containing mainly local restaurants but we ignore all but one of these. A restaurant which I fail to see its name as I am mesmerised by the cooked chickens hanging in the window. He can't mean in here.
We take a seat at one of the many marbled round tables. Menu's are given to us and luckily they are in English as well as Chinese, but they have no prices. We order lime juice, a Beef and Spinach type dish and Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Chicken Rice is a famous dish out here, one Singaporeans would love to call there own but actually comes from China. Its a deconstructed Chicken soup dish. You get a bowl of broth, a plate of chicken, sliced cucumber and a bowl of rice; you eat this with condiments of Dark Soy sauce, Chilli sauce and Ginger sauce. It has all the medicinal qualities one expects from Chicken soup and is comforting.
The chicken arrived and was perfect, moist, succulent and most importantly it was breast meat. The rice was perfectly steamed, it was just the broth that I felt was slightly lacking in flavour. But how to eat it? Personally - and I don't know whether this is right or not I put some rice on a spoon and dip into the broth, eat the chicken seperately with the condiments or dip into the broth or eat with the cucumber. I think basically anything goes as long as one enjoys the different tastes and textures in front of you.
The Beef dish was wonderful too with the greens fresh and crunchy. We also had a crunchy Bok Choi dish which was great but I would had prefered less garlic in the dish.
The next problem before returning to our journey to B was how to pay. It wasn't the sort of place where you wave your hand in the air as if writing your name to get the bill, but luckily it wasn't a problem. We headed through the crowded restaurant to the old guy sitting in a booth. He had paper slips, written in Chinese, in front of him clipped together. He gestured to the restaurant and said something in Manderin, we pointed to our table and hey presto our slip of paper was found. He said something else in Manderin before repeating it in English, thirty eight dollars.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
I've Got Rhythm
Picnic in hand we arrived at the Singapore Botanic Gardens uncertain whether we were going to stay long due to the rain drops that seemed to be getting more consistant the closer we got.
It was movie night beneath the stars in the Botanic Gardens - 'isn't this romantic' (thats another film) - tonight we had the Gershwin classic ' American in Paris' (irronically 'Singing in the Rain' was showing the next evening).
We were'nt the only ones undetered by the rain, groups huddled around their mats sheltering under a sea of umbrellas. We opted for a position further up the natural amphi theatre of Palm Valley and placed our mat (picnic rugs itch in this hummidity) in front of a group of palm trees, checking that there were no coconuts first and hoping for a bit of shelter from the rain. And we settled back with glasses of wine waiting for the start.
As the rain got a little bit more persistant we decided to move. A second tree was chosen to sit under. We moved a third time, better view and more protection and thought we were in the perfect position.
So as the sun set - despite the drizzle the sky turned pink - we turned our attention to the picnic and the start of the movie. As the characters introduced themselves, as they do in this movie, we tucked into home made hummus and flat bread, salad and sticky chicken and of course more wine. The rain abated and the sea of umbreallas relaxed in front of us.
As Gene Kelly started singing and dancing to 'I've got Rhythem', we got ants. And did we get ants. But did we move - no - it was just a few ants, we coped with the rain - put the food away - shake out the cloth and sit back to enjoy the rest of the movie.
'S Wonderful, s marvelous' .... and we still had the 'Ant Invasion' (different era) our hands felt as though they had pins and needles from all the ants crawling over them. Undetered we ate pudding of Banana mufin, but the tupperware box it came in was black with the infestation - I discovered this later when I was putting things away.
So all food tidied away - enclosed in plastic - put back in the ice bag. The sugar coated biscuit we put to one side to attrached the unwanted visitors somewhere else was a sea of black - as were our dirty plates. We sat back, hoping for peace, to enjoy the rest of the movie. I wish it were that easy. Every so often one of us had a mini killing spree as we wiped down our arms and legs.
The film ended rather abruptly, as it does, after a Gene Kelly and Nina Foch's excuse of a drawn out dance, dream sequence, and so we started on the tidy up. The plates had water poured over them and were wrapped up in the table cloth and put in the bag - the sugar coated biscuit - we left. And so bags and new enemies in hand we set off for the short walk home and for the real tidy up.
On arriving back at our appartments lift lobby, we discovered that my bag had an ant trail, 3 or 4 ants deep, trying to find a way down to terra firma - this was quickly dispearsed by a quick shake - phew. Luckily the clean up was quick - easy with plently of hot water - I don't think any of them escaped.
Despite the weather and the ants I still went to be bed dancing and singing ' I've got Rhythm' .............. 'who could ask for anything more'.
It was movie night beneath the stars in the Botanic Gardens - 'isn't this romantic' (thats another film) - tonight we had the Gershwin classic ' American in Paris' (irronically 'Singing in the Rain' was showing the next evening).
We were'nt the only ones undetered by the rain, groups huddled around their mats sheltering under a sea of umbrellas. We opted for a position further up the natural amphi theatre of Palm Valley and placed our mat (picnic rugs itch in this hummidity) in front of a group of palm trees, checking that there were no coconuts first and hoping for a bit of shelter from the rain. And we settled back with glasses of wine waiting for the start.
As the rain got a little bit more persistant we decided to move. A second tree was chosen to sit under. We moved a third time, better view and more protection and thought we were in the perfect position.
So as the sun set - despite the drizzle the sky turned pink - we turned our attention to the picnic and the start of the movie. As the characters introduced themselves, as they do in this movie, we tucked into home made hummus and flat bread, salad and sticky chicken and of course more wine. The rain abated and the sea of umbreallas relaxed in front of us.
As Gene Kelly started singing and dancing to 'I've got Rhythem', we got ants. And did we get ants. But did we move - no - it was just a few ants, we coped with the rain - put the food away - shake out the cloth and sit back to enjoy the rest of the movie.
'S Wonderful, s marvelous' .... and we still had the 'Ant Invasion' (different era) our hands felt as though they had pins and needles from all the ants crawling over them. Undetered we ate pudding of Banana mufin, but the tupperware box it came in was black with the infestation - I discovered this later when I was putting things away.
So all food tidied away - enclosed in plastic - put back in the ice bag. The sugar coated biscuit we put to one side to attrached the unwanted visitors somewhere else was a sea of black - as were our dirty plates. We sat back, hoping for peace, to enjoy the rest of the movie. I wish it were that easy. Every so often one of us had a mini killing spree as we wiped down our arms and legs.
The film ended rather abruptly, as it does, after a Gene Kelly and Nina Foch's excuse of a drawn out dance, dream sequence, and so we started on the tidy up. The plates had water poured over them and were wrapped up in the table cloth and put in the bag - the sugar coated biscuit - we left. And so bags and new enemies in hand we set off for the short walk home and for the real tidy up.
On arriving back at our appartments lift lobby, we discovered that my bag had an ant trail, 3 or 4 ants deep, trying to find a way down to terra firma - this was quickly dispearsed by a quick shake - phew. Luckily the clean up was quick - easy with plently of hot water - I don't think any of them escaped.
Despite the weather and the ants I still went to be bed dancing and singing ' I've got Rhythm' .............. 'who could ask for anything more'.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Egyptian Pizza
First off I've never been to Egypt. I've been to a lot of other places but never Egypt - not yet anyhow. But way back, before I really started travelling, in fact when I was a student and these things were just dreams and my love of food was greater I bought a range of cookbooks from Sainsbury's. I bought over ten of them - one a week. I was begining to cook more and although still living with my parents I was moving out soon and you could say preparing myself by increasing my Recipe Book ownership - it was the eighties and I wanted dinner parties and cook grown up food and My Learn to Cook Book by Ursula Sedgwick (Hamlyn) and The Pooh Cook Book by Kate Stewart (Methuen), were just a teensy bit child like. I still have all these books, including my two child hood favourites on my now groaning cook book shelves, but there are three I return to again and again - The Chocolate Lover's Cookbook by Patrcia Lousada, Low Fat Cookery by Wendy Godfrey and A Traveller's Tastes by Joceline Dimbleby. There are pages in these books that look new - well, as new as an old book can look - but then there are pages that are food splattered from over use before the recipe got commited to memory that are jsut checked occasionally for quantities. One such recipes is Egyptian Pizza.
From A Traveller's Tastes, Egyptian Pizza just appealed to me. I love pizza, being brought up like many a London child of the 70's on Pizza Express, but this was more, a stuffed pizza different from a Calzone and before Pizza Hut started doing their stuffed crust but even that is of no comparison. A pizza without cheese and full of spices. I had to make it and once made, that was it, I was hooked.
I've looked up Egyptian Pizza on the internet and I have found nothing that can compare with this recipe. They all seem to go down the traditional looking pizza route with toppings on top of flat breads - nice but still of no comparison.
Over the years it has taken on many guises. I've made it with peppers and even a mushrooms and cheese version for a vegitarian friend (I know blasphomy), but since then I have refined the recipe and no longer fry it, but go for a lesser fattening option of baking and grilling.
Joceline Dimbledy discovered, or a version of this recipe in a back street of Cairo. It was late and she was hungry, the smell enticed her to this dark side street where the pizza was baked over hot charcoal. I am so glad that she studied the chef at work before returning home and recreating this fabulous dish.
So here is my adjusted version ..... it serves 4 at a push 5 and serve it with a green salad - a meditarian type of salad of olives, nuts, seeds, sun dried tomatoes and feta cheese ...
For the dough:
350g plain flour and extra for roling
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 pint of boiling water
For the filling:
Olive oil
250 - 300g lean minced beef
1 onion chopped small
1 teaspoon of ground Cinamon
1 teaspoon of ground Corriander
1 teaspoon of ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
1 tablespoon of Tomato puree
40g melted butter
1 egg beaten
a handful of chopped Corriander
To make the dough put the flour and salt in a bowl, make a well in the middle and slowly incorporate the water with a spoon - it will get sticky. Gather it together and knead it on a flour surface until it is smooth and elastic. Return it to the bowl and cover with cling film - keep warm - for 30 minutes.
In a frying pan heat a glug of olive oil and add the onion. Once softened add the spices and allow to cook through for about 2 minutes. Add the mince and stir it around breaking it up, it will take about 4 to 5 minutes to brown and cook. Then add the tomato puree and stir in.
Now for the hard bit. Make sure you have enough space on your work surface to roll out the dough to about 50 cm diameter. Flour well. Place the dough in the center and with a floured rolling pin roll out, lifting up the dough to make sure it isn't sticking to the surface - you may need to add more flour.
Brush the melted butter over the dough suface and then evenly spread over the cooked meat and scatter the Corriander. Pour over the beaten egg evenly. Start rolling up the dough disk to make a long sausage. Now carefully roll the sauage into a spiral. You may need to add extra flour along the way to stop sticking. Now press the spiral down - don't worry if the sides split a bit - you need to make it about 3 - 4 cms thick. Put the Pizza on an oiled baking sheet and place in a very hot oven for 15 minutes then place under a hot grill until the top is browned. Turn over and cook the bottom - to do this use a plate or a chopping board, place on top of the pizza and flip - then return to the baking tray and grill the otherside until browned.
To serve cut into wedges and enjoy!
From A Traveller's Tastes, Egyptian Pizza just appealed to me. I love pizza, being brought up like many a London child of the 70's on Pizza Express, but this was more, a stuffed pizza different from a Calzone and before Pizza Hut started doing their stuffed crust but even that is of no comparison. A pizza without cheese and full of spices. I had to make it and once made, that was it, I was hooked.
I've looked up Egyptian Pizza on the internet and I have found nothing that can compare with this recipe. They all seem to go down the traditional looking pizza route with toppings on top of flat breads - nice but still of no comparison.
Over the years it has taken on many guises. I've made it with peppers and even a mushrooms and cheese version for a vegitarian friend (I know blasphomy), but since then I have refined the recipe and no longer fry it, but go for a lesser fattening option of baking and grilling.
Joceline Dimbledy discovered, or a version of this recipe in a back street of Cairo. It was late and she was hungry, the smell enticed her to this dark side street where the pizza was baked over hot charcoal. I am so glad that she studied the chef at work before returning home and recreating this fabulous dish.
So here is my adjusted version ..... it serves 4 at a push 5 and serve it with a green salad - a meditarian type of salad of olives, nuts, seeds, sun dried tomatoes and feta cheese ...
For the dough:
350g plain flour and extra for roling
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 pint of boiling water
For the filling:
Olive oil
250 - 300g lean minced beef
1 onion chopped small
1 teaspoon of ground Cinamon
1 teaspoon of ground Corriander
1 teaspoon of ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
1 tablespoon of Tomato puree
40g melted butter
1 egg beaten
a handful of chopped Corriander
To make the dough put the flour and salt in a bowl, make a well in the middle and slowly incorporate the water with a spoon - it will get sticky. Gather it together and knead it on a flour surface until it is smooth and elastic. Return it to the bowl and cover with cling film - keep warm - for 30 minutes.
In a frying pan heat a glug of olive oil and add the onion. Once softened add the spices and allow to cook through for about 2 minutes. Add the mince and stir it around breaking it up, it will take about 4 to 5 minutes to brown and cook. Then add the tomato puree and stir in.
Now for the hard bit. Make sure you have enough space on your work surface to roll out the dough to about 50 cm diameter. Flour well. Place the dough in the center and with a floured rolling pin roll out, lifting up the dough to make sure it isn't sticking to the surface - you may need to add more flour.
Brush the melted butter over the dough suface and then evenly spread over the cooked meat and scatter the Corriander. Pour over the beaten egg evenly. Start rolling up the dough disk to make a long sausage. Now carefully roll the sauage into a spiral. You may need to add extra flour along the way to stop sticking. Now press the spiral down - don't worry if the sides split a bit - you need to make it about 3 - 4 cms thick. Put the Pizza on an oiled baking sheet and place in a very hot oven for 15 minutes then place under a hot grill until the top is browned. Turn over and cook the bottom - to do this use a plate or a chopping board, place on top of the pizza and flip - then return to the baking tray and grill the otherside until browned.
To serve cut into wedges and enjoy!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Vrooooom time again
Forget about the traffic disruption that hit the city for days, the gantries that have been changing the face of the streets for months, as you stand in the queue to get in and hear the noise from inside the enclosure; the deafening noise that lasts for seconds before its just a loud noise before its gone again; its so close you could touch it; you can smell it, the smell of burnt rubber; you just can't see it, but you feel a chill go down your spine as you are so close, so close ...... and then you are inside, picking up your program guide and survival kit (the all important ear plugs and rain poncho) ..... and its Friday night and you have three evenings of this, so lets get a Beer and get our bearings and absorb that atmosphere before heading off to find something to eat. Don't want to overdo it on the first day, only the hardened of petrol heads can manage it continuously for three days and I'm not one of them.
IMPORTANT, Motor Racing is dangerous and accidents can happen. The 2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX is a rain or shine event.
Two hours before the first of three practice sessions Singapore was drenched in rain for a second time that day, but the sky's cleared as I headed towards the street circuit a 30 minute bus ride away. As dusk fell I squelched my way accross the Padang clutching my beer to one of the big screens and wondered (as muddy water violated my foot) whose stupid fault it was to get rid of the grass and replace it with plastic matting. At last years race it was almost like a 'Concert in the Park' with a picnic sitting on the grass watching the race - most enjoyable and one of the reasons why I am back - this year sadly no such luck. Not to worry at least it isn't raining, but its making the track a little treacherous for the cars.
We've bought a three day Walk About pass for Zone 4. For us there is no viewing the race from a comfy seat in one of the many Stands or even sipping Cocktails from a Corporate Box or the Paddock Club. We do get access to some great views of the track with the wonderful back drop of the city, great entertainment, great food and of course the many beer tents (but the beer is rather fizzy - do they add extra fizz?). The heart of the action is the Padang, which is home of the main stage and most of the food outlets and despite the lack of grass hundreds of people spread out there poncho's and sit watching the hugh screens. Why would we want to sit on the ground watching a big screen when we could be sitting in the comfort of our own home watching the same scenes? Home is no substitute to the atmosphere, the noise, the experience that one can get being at this live event. At home you don't get the added value of the entertainment that has been brought in that gives the Singapore Grand Prix that unique party feeling. Oh, and did I mention the NOISE!
So Saturday comes and it rains again, but we arrive at the track to dry sky's in time to see the band Daughtry ROCK the Padang Satge. They have been given the early spot before Third Practice, they do not disapoint. But how are we going to entertain ourselves between Third Practice and Qualifying? We firstly eat - going for an easy option of a yummy Burger, then we wander the track enjoying some of the live track action - looking for a good viewing spot. An Ice cream before heading to another stage to settle down and listen to Ojos De Brujo a Spanish, Flamenco, Rap Band - I know it sounds like an odd combination, but it works.
Qualifying and the track is still wet from todays rain storm. Exciting stuff.
And then there was Adam Lambert. We have to admit we didn't know who he was. He's been dubbed 'who's' Adam Lambert amongst family and friends. But what a performance, a true showman, he kept us entertained until the small hours and well worth staying behind for.
Race day and we wake to blue sky's. The actual Race is hours away and a lot can happen weather wise between now and then, but dry it stays. Yippee. We arrive and head to the Makansutra Food Stalls near the Esplanade - we're going local tonight. I have a Chicken Satay Gado Gado salad and 'A' has Mee Gorang. Now to slot some entertainment in before the race, how about Brazil! Brazil! ? Fabulous, who needs the Chipendales (performing elsewhere on the circuit to a female only crowd) when you have this group of lively individuals that appeal to both sexes. Brazil! Brazil! is a combination of Latin Brazillian beat, Capoeira martial arts dance, Samba, Football tricks and the Rio Carnival all rolled into one adrenilin filled performance. With as many costume changes as they had songs, we saw everything from grass skirts to jewel encrusted bikinis. If you were in the UK this summer you may have seen them performing on the South Bank or bringing a little Brazillian sunshine to the Edinburgh Festival. What a great way to start the evening.
To the Race. Positioned in front of one of the big screens on the Padang, we settle on plastic chairs among other spectators to enjoy the whole point of the weekend, but found the beginning of the Race rather tedious and boring. But then it all started to happen; two cars collide; safety car; early pit stops (a good call for Webber); over taking (who said that couldn't happen on street circuits); another crash; safety car; Hamiltons move which would have been applauded if he managed to pull it off (but sadly he didn't); car on fire (calm Kovalainen's extinguisher skills); and its another win to Fernado Alonso followed by the Red Bulls in second and third.
So what a night, what a weekend.
But its not over yet ..... we have Mariah Carey to look forward to. Sadly for us she is a let down. Looking older than her 40 years (they must really air brush her pictures), her music is bland in comparison to the rest of the entertainment we've experienced this Singapore Party Weekend.
So tired and happy we head home, already looking forward to next years race extravagander. Whoo!!
So Japan in two weeks and only 4 races until the end of this F1 season - who will win the Drivers Championship, who will win the Constructors and then there are the race winners - who will win?
www.yoursingapore.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmXQFwlD7vk&ob=av2e
www.singaporegp.sg
IMPORTANT, Motor Racing is dangerous and accidents can happen. The 2010 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX is a rain or shine event.
We've bought a three day Walk About pass for Zone 4. For us there is no viewing the race from a comfy seat in one of the many Stands or even sipping Cocktails from a Corporate Box or the Paddock Club. We do get access to some great views of the track with the wonderful back drop of the city, great entertainment, great food and of course the many beer tents (but the beer is rather fizzy - do they add extra fizz?). The heart of the action is the Padang, which is home of the main stage and most of the food outlets and despite the lack of grass hundreds of people spread out there poncho's and sit watching the hugh screens. Why would we want to sit on the ground watching a big screen when we could be sitting in the comfort of our own home watching the same scenes? Home is no substitute to the atmosphere, the noise, the experience that one can get being at this live event. At home you don't get the added value of the entertainment that has been brought in that gives the Singapore Grand Prix that unique party feeling. Oh, and did I mention the NOISE!
So Saturday comes and it rains again, but we arrive at the track to dry sky's in time to see the band Daughtry ROCK the Padang Satge. They have been given the early spot before Third Practice, they do not disapoint. But how are we going to entertain ourselves between Third Practice and Qualifying? We firstly eat - going for an easy option of a yummy Burger, then we wander the track enjoying some of the live track action - looking for a good viewing spot. An Ice cream before heading to another stage to settle down and listen to Ojos De Brujo a Spanish, Flamenco, Rap Band - I know it sounds like an odd combination, but it works. Qualifying and the track is still wet from todays rain storm. Exciting stuff.
And then there was Adam Lambert. We have to admit we didn't know who he was. He's been dubbed 'who's' Adam Lambert amongst family and friends. But what a performance, a true showman, he kept us entertained until the small hours and well worth staying behind for.
So what a night, what a weekend.
But its not over yet ..... we have Mariah Carey to look forward to. Sadly for us she is a let down. Looking older than her 40 years (they must really air brush her pictures), her music is bland in comparison to the rest of the entertainment we've experienced this Singapore Party Weekend.
So tired and happy we head home, already looking forward to next years race extravagander. Whoo!!
So Japan in two weeks and only 4 races until the end of this F1 season - who will win the Drivers Championship, who will win the Constructors and then there are the race winners - who will win?
www.yoursingapore.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmXQFwlD7vk&ob=av2e
www.singaporegp.sg
Thursday, September 23, 2010
One of those top ten beers
Hot and tired we arrived on Sentosa Island. Avoiding all of the attractions, piped music and crowds we headed for Palawan Beach and a refreshing beer. Ice cold and wow. Instantly hit the top ten chart of Beer requirments.
But thats where we ended up. We started our day at the Alexandra Arch bridge crossing of course the Alexandra Road which is where the Forest Bridge walk begins and mid way point on Singapores Sourthern Ridge trail.
We've been wondering what this metal bridge structure crossing rain forrest was - dispearing into the forrest canopy beyond. It wasn't around years ago when we last lived in Singapore and we thought it was just a link / short cut between Alexandra Road and Gillman Village home of furniture shops and what used to be known as Little Bali. So I admit I didn't do my home work although I had tried to, but now its been discovered I will be adding it onto the things to do at the weekend list. I must admit I've looked at a map of the area in question many times and can only assume that because it is so badly designed and has no relation to what I was seeing on the ground, it therefore just didn't register in my brain - badly designed things tend not to.
(hmm tech prob can't turn photo up right way sorry)
The Forrest Walk's metal walkway zig zags, its way accross the valley, surrounded by trees, with views to the sea beyond. Below there is another path to follow at ground level which I also didn't know existed, so one can easily to a loop walk.
It passes these beautiful Black and White houses just beyond Gillman Village, where British Officers must have once resided (Gillman Village used to be a British Army Barracks). I could quite easily see myself living in one of these...
The pathway goes onwards and upwards, the air is filled with bird noise and cicardas piercing mechanical screech. Two bright yellow Black-naped Orioles fly into vision. Amazing.
The metal gives way to tarmac at Telok Blangah Hill Park, where we wonder through an Italianesk style garden - I think there is some history to discover here as there is what looks like an Italian Villa being restored - another day.
The path is still climbing and we grab a welcome drink from a lone drinks machine at the beginning of the Henderson Waves Bridge. Anywhere else this would be unsual, but we're in Singapore so you sort of look out for things like that. An ice cold drink is always welcome.
The Henderson Waves Bridge links Telok Blangah to Mount Faber, one of the tallest hills around at 105 meters high. And what views. But back to the bridge ...... its a beautiful structure and my photo doesn't do it justice. You can shade yourself from the suns intensity under its arches and sit a while. Its a very calming place.
But we don't often stop and sit while on our walks, we stop and enjoy views and nature and of course a drink but thats never for long. So we walked passed the families and the photography lesson (had our picture taken) and headed through Mount Faber Park. We could have walked on and down the Marang Trail to the civilisation of Vivo City Shopping Centre, but we opted for the newly opened refurbished Jewel Box Restaurant (despite finding it impossible to find the entrance) and the cable car our escape to our Sentosa Beer.
But thats where we ended up. We started our day at the Alexandra Arch bridge crossing of course the Alexandra Road which is where the Forest Bridge walk begins and mid way point on Singapores Sourthern Ridge trail.
We've been wondering what this metal bridge structure crossing rain forrest was - dispearing into the forrest canopy beyond. It wasn't around years ago when we last lived in Singapore and we thought it was just a link / short cut between Alexandra Road and Gillman Village home of furniture shops and what used to be known as Little Bali. So I admit I didn't do my home work although I had tried to, but now its been discovered I will be adding it onto the things to do at the weekend list. I must admit I've looked at a map of the area in question many times and can only assume that because it is so badly designed and has no relation to what I was seeing on the ground, it therefore just didn't register in my brain - badly designed things tend not to.
The Forrest Walk's metal walkway zig zags, its way accross the valley, surrounded by trees, with views to the sea beyond. Below there is another path to follow at ground level which I also didn't know existed, so one can easily to a loop walk. It passes these beautiful Black and White houses just beyond Gillman Village, where British Officers must have once resided (Gillman Village used to be a British Army Barracks). I could quite easily see myself living in one of these...
The pathway goes onwards and upwards, the air is filled with bird noise and cicardas piercing mechanical screech. Two bright yellow Black-naped Orioles fly into vision. Amazing.
The metal gives way to tarmac at Telok Blangah Hill Park, where we wonder through an Italianesk style garden - I think there is some history to discover here as there is what looks like an Italian Villa being restored - another day.
The path is still climbing and we grab a welcome drink from a lone drinks machine at the beginning of the Henderson Waves Bridge. Anywhere else this would be unsual, but we're in Singapore so you sort of look out for things like that. An ice cold drink is always welcome.The Henderson Waves Bridge links Telok Blangah to Mount Faber, one of the tallest hills around at 105 meters high. And what views. But back to the bridge ...... its a beautiful structure and my photo doesn't do it justice. You can shade yourself from the suns intensity under its arches and sit a while. Its a very calming place.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Kha Thai Restaurant, HortPark Singapore
Kha restaurant serves exquisite Thai street food – well that’s what the guide I picked up from the tourist information office says. I agree with exquisite, but it is hardly street food, the setting is beautiful and the prices are rather steeper than hawker centers.
I first spied Kha restaurant sparkling in the corner, lights reflecting on the infinity pool and twinkling amongst the vegitation when we went to a wedding reception at HortPark. Not long after that I went for a lunch time recky. Today I suggested it to my husband as a Monday lunch time treat. We were not disappointed.
As a lover of Banana Flower salad I had to try the Deep Fried Banana Flower with sweet chili sauce – crisp and delicate in flavor rather like tempura. There wasn’t enough chili sauce for my liking but then I do rather like the stuff. Hubby had a favorite of ours, Larb Gai, which is a minced chicken salad served with lettuce in which you wrap the chicken mixture in. We first tired Larb Gai in a Thai restaurant in Hong Kong when we were living there – a fiery concoction more than happy to blow your head off and clear the sinuses and despite that we kept going back for more. Here the salad reminded me more of a Vietnamese salad full of mint, coriander and lemon grass with just a hint of chili and a far more pleasant experience.
Our main courses consisted of Chicken Massaman Curry, another favorite of mine and something I try whenever I see it on the menu and a refreshing Char grilled Tiger Prawn with a Green Papaya Salad. I can not comment on the Prawn dish but as always with Massaman Curry I would have been happy with just a bowl of the sauce with a plate full of rice, although the chicken and pumkin in the sauce was yummy too. The name HortPark makes you think there must be some stately pile existing somewhere around, sadly not. Opened in 2007 it's what's called a Gardening Hub, where research is carried out and garden ideas are exhibited year round in Chelsea Flower Show style gardens – or that’s the intention. In fact what is more interesting is it is part of the Park Connector system here in Singapore and connects Kent Ridge Park to Mount Faber all part of Singapore Southern Ridges. Southern Ridges, no, there are no mountains as such but it’s significant in the landscape as a hilly green belt of deserted plantations and rain forest full of wild life.
Kent Ridge Park is quite a lot older and has played a more important roll in Singapore’s history, a former British Fortress and the sight of a 48 hour battle between the Malay Regiment and the Japanese Army at the beginning of the Japanese invasion during World War 2. But more of that another day.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Coincidence
In front of the shelves in the bookshop I'm confronted by guides to Singapore - well I am in the travel section. I'm looking for the guide of all guides on the best of Hawker Center food here in Singapore which has recently been up dated and coincidently coincides with my quest to try more local food. Strangely enough 'Makansutra 2011' isn't there. I do find though and buy 'There's No Carrot in Carrot Cake' (Epigram) a guide to whats in 101 Hawker Dishes. So now I know whats in Char Kway Teow (flat noodle stir fry with Chinese sauage - but I'll avoid the one with cockles) and will deffinately give it a go.
Next book shop - same problem, maybe I've got it wrong, maybe the latest edition hasn't hit the shops yet ..... but as I swing past the Food Magazines I spot it - loads of them. Makes sense really I suppose, after all I don't go to the travel section to buy the Time Out Restaurant guide in the UK - but then that looks like a magazine - a thick one, but magazine size and shape all the same.
So where to start? Hmmmm......... a bit more research, but first I think its lunch time ......
Next book shop - same problem, maybe I've got it wrong, maybe the latest edition hasn't hit the shops yet ..... but as I swing past the Food Magazines I spot it - loads of them. Makes sense really I suppose, after all I don't go to the travel section to buy the Time Out Restaurant guide in the UK - but then that looks like a magazine - a thick one, but magazine size and shape all the same.
So where to start? Hmmmm......... a bit more research, but first I think its lunch time ......
Saturday, September 4, 2010
I never would had said I was a fussy eater.....
.....well until came here to Asia that is.......
.... ok I know I don't do shell fish and I'm not good with bones, but out here, well sometimes you just never know what you are getting. However, in my quest to experience Singapore and Asia more fully I'm getting out there and rubbing shoulders with the locals and doing street food ..... or as close as Singapore gets to street food in nice clean Hawker Centers or Food Courts. I tried yummy a Nassi Lemak with green (the rice was green!) coconut rice and a wonderful spicy tembal on todays excursion, washed down with a cooling fresh Lemon juice - ok I'm a fussy eater avoiding the Pig Organ Soup, but at least I didn't stick to my favourite and stapel in a food crisis, Curry Puff (similar to a curried Cornish Pasty) although the name of the stall sounded rather appealing - Power Puff. I was aiming for Singaporean Chicken Rice but the queue was toooooo long - a good sign - but my stomach wanted feeding there and then.
On Palau Ubin Island a week or so ago we had a bizzare Lemon Chicken (my fellow diners enjoyed a plate of very fresh chilli prawns each). It was deep fried pieces of chicken served on what seemed like lemon curd - hmm, not what I was expecting at all - thank goodness for the Fried Rice and the Mee Gorang as they were the highlights of the meal. And then there was the great Gado Gado - a salad of steamed veg and boiled egg served with a peanut sauce, which I had in a shopping center Food Court recently - yum yum.
Don't worry I'm still getting in plenty of Western style food, but in this country obsessed about food I've decided I need to make more effort to try as much as I dare ..... I now have a food hit list which includes - Thunder tea Rice, Fried Carrot Cake (made with radish and not a carrot in sight) and Char Kway Teow (don't know what this is but its worth a try - I think).
.... ok I know I don't do shell fish and I'm not good with bones, but out here, well sometimes you just never know what you are getting. However, in my quest to experience Singapore and Asia more fully I'm getting out there and rubbing shoulders with the locals and doing street food ..... or as close as Singapore gets to street food in nice clean Hawker Centers or Food Courts. I tried yummy a Nassi Lemak with green (the rice was green!) coconut rice and a wonderful spicy tembal on todays excursion, washed down with a cooling fresh Lemon juice - ok I'm a fussy eater avoiding the Pig Organ Soup, but at least I didn't stick to my favourite and stapel in a food crisis, Curry Puff (similar to a curried Cornish Pasty) although the name of the stall sounded rather appealing - Power Puff. I was aiming for Singaporean Chicken Rice but the queue was toooooo long - a good sign - but my stomach wanted feeding there and then.
On Palau Ubin Island a week or so ago we had a bizzare Lemon Chicken (my fellow diners enjoyed a plate of very fresh chilli prawns each). It was deep fried pieces of chicken served on what seemed like lemon curd - hmm, not what I was expecting at all - thank goodness for the Fried Rice and the Mee Gorang as they were the highlights of the meal. And then there was the great Gado Gado - a salad of steamed veg and boiled egg served with a peanut sauce, which I had in a shopping center Food Court recently - yum yum.
Don't worry I'm still getting in plenty of Western style food, but in this country obsessed about food I've decided I need to make more effort to try as much as I dare ..... I now have a food hit list which includes - Thunder tea Rice, Fried Carrot Cake (made with radish and not a carrot in sight) and Char Kway Teow (don't know what this is but its worth a try - I think).
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